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Readings and Gospel Selections

Accompanies Funeral Planning Guide

St. Mary Parish 837 Parkview Dr

Milton, WI 53563

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Table of Contents

First Reading Suggestions Wisdom 3:1-9 (long version) ............... 5 Wisdom 3:1-6, 9 (short version) ......... 5 Wisdom 4:7-15 ..................................... 6 Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 .................................. 6 Second Reading Suggestions During Easter Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36, 42-43 .......................................... 8 Revelation 14:13.................................. 8 Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7 .................. 9 Second Reading Suggestions Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12 .................. 11 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 .................. 11 Romans 6:3-9 (long version) ............. 12 Romans 6:3-4, 8-9 (short version) ... 12 Romans 8:14-23 ................................ 13 Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 ............... 14 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 .................. 14 2 Corinthians 4:14-15 ..................... 15 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 ................... 15 1 John 3:1-2 ........................................ 16 1 John 3:14-16 ................................... 16 Romans 5:5-11 .................................. 17 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ............... 17 Gospel Selections Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a (long version) ......... 20 Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53 (short version) ........................ 20 Matthew 5:1-12a .............................. 21

John 6:37-40 ....................................... 21 Matthew 11:25-30 ........................... 22 Luke 7:11-17 ...................................... 22 Matthew 25:31-46 ........................... 23 John 11:17-27 (long version) ............ 24 John 11:21-27 (short version) ........... 24 John 11:32-45 .................................... 25 John 5:24-29 ....................................... 26 Luke 23:33, 39-43 ............................ 26 John 12:23-28 (long version) ............ 27 John 12:23-26 (short version) ........... 27 John 14:1-6 ......................................... 28 John 17:24-26 .................................... 28 John 19:17-18, 25-39 ...................... 29

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First Reading

Suggestions

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Death is not the end, but the hope of immortality (Long Version) Wisdom 3:1-9 A reading from the Book of Wisdom The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed they be punished, yet is their hope full of im-mortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge na-tions and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect. The word of the Lord.

OR (Short version) Wisdom 3:1-6, 9 A reading from the Book of Wisdom The souls of the just are in the hand of God and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if in the eyes of men, indeed they be punished, yet is their hope full of immor-tality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them, and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sac-rificial offerings he took them to himself. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect. The word of the Lord.

SUGGESTED FIRST READING SELECTIONS

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The one who dies young has lived a full life. Wisdom 4:7-15 A reading from the Book of Wisdom The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Ra-ther, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attain-ment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported— snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; for the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of de-sire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not under-stand, nor did they take this into account. The word of the Lord.

The Lord God will destroy death forever. Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” The word of the Lord.

SUGGESTED FIRST READING SELECTIONS

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Second Reading

Suggestions During Easter

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Jesus is forgiveness for those who believe. Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36, 42-43 A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Peter proceeded to speak, saying; “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the children of Israel as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” The word of the Lord.

Happy are those who die in the Lord. Revelation 14:13 A reading from the Book of Revelation I, John, heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” said the Spirit, “let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them.” The word of the Lord

SUGGESTED SECOND READING SELECTIONS DURING THE EASTER SEASON

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I am the Alpha and the Omega. Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7 A reading from the Book of Revelation I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusa-lem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her hus-band. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God him-self will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of live-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.” The word of the Lord.

SUGGESTED SECOND READING SELECTIONS DURING THE EASTER SEASON

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Second Reading

Suggestions

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Alive or dead, we belong to the Lord.

Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

Brothers and sisters: No one lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that we might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why then do you judge your bother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judg-ment seat of God; for it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend be-fore me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.

So then each of us shall give an accounting of himself to God. The word of the Lord.

All will be brought to life in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his com-ing, those who belong to Christ.

The word of the Lord.

SUGGESTED SECOND READING SELECTIONS

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Through baptism, we are united with Christ.

(Long Version) Romans 6:3-9


Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

The word of the Lord. OR

(Short Version) Romans 6:3-4, 8-9


Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.



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We are children of God and heirs with Christ. Romans 8:14-23 A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Brothers and sisters: Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, Abba, “Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revela-tion of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. The word of the Lord.


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Nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39


Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress or persecution, or famine, or na-kedness, or peril, or the sword?

No, in all these things, we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The word of the Lord. Death is conquered by Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters: Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: Death is swal-lowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.



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What is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:14-51 A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians Brothers and sisters: Knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. The word of the Lord.

We have an everlasting home with Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians Brothers and sisters: We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be de-stroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are cou-rageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil. The word of the Lord.


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We are God’s children. 1 John 3:1-2 A reading from the first Letter of Saint John Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. The word of the Lord.

We pass from death to life. 1 John 3:14-16 A reading from the first Letter of Saint John Beloved: We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. The word of the Lord.


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The glory of the resurrection.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fall-en asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we be-lieve that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus,, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.


Jesus’ death is a testimony of God’s love. Romans 5:5-11 A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Brothers and sisters: Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sin-ners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his Blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were ene-mies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. The word of the Lord.


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Gospel Reading

Suggestions

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Into your hands I commend my spirit.

(Long Version) Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a

+A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

It was about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the after-noon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. After he had taken the Body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried.

At daybreak on the first day of the week the women took the spices they had pre-pared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the Body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.”

The Gospel of the Lord

OR

(Short Version) Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53


It was about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the after-noon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. After he had taken the Body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried.


SUGGESTED GOSPEL SELECTIONS

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The Beatitudes. Matthew 5:1-12a +A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” The Gospel of the Lord.

Whoever believes in Jesus has eternal life. John 6:37-40 +A reading from the holy Gospel according to John Jesus said to the crowds: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” The Gospel of the Lord.


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Come to me, you who are weary and burdened.

Matthew 11:25-30

+A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time Jesus answered: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Raising the son of the widow of Naim.

Luke 7:11-17


Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompa-nied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being car-ried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bear-ers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and be-gan to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glori-fied God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.



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Parable of the Final Judgment. Matthew 25:31-46

+A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the an-gels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assem-bled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd sepa-rates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothes me. ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no wel-come, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will an-swer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”



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I am the resurrection and the life.

(Long Version) John 11:17-27

+A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

When Jesus arrived in Bethany, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and be-lieves in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, ”Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”


OR (Short Version) John 11:21-27


Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resur-rection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, ”Yes, Lord, I have come to be-lieve that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”



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The raising of Lazarus. John 11:32-45 +A reading form the holy gospel according to John When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?” So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to the crowd, “Untie him and let him go.” Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him. The Gospel of the Lord.


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Whoever hears and believes has passed into Life. John 5:24-29 +A reading from the holy Gospel according to John Jesus answered the Jews and said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exer-cise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.” The Gospel of the Lord

The thief on the cross; you will be in paradise.

Luke 23:33, 39-43


When the soldiers came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Jesus and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other man, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”



27

If a grain of wheat dies, it produces a rich harvest.

(Long Version) John 12:23-28


Jesus said to his disciples: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it re-mains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”


OR (Short Version) John 12:23-26


Jesus said to his disciples: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it re-mains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.



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There are many rooms in my Father’s house. John 14:1-6


Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to my-self, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”


All those you gave me I would have in my company. John 17:24-26


Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: “Father, those whom you gave me are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”



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Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:17-18, 25-39


So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the Spirit.

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one solder thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and wa-ter flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled:

Not a bone of it will be broken. And again another passage says: They will look upon him whom they have pierced.

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the Body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his Body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds.



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